Wawaloon

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Wawaloon Follow the journey of Harley Schofield as he restores the schooner "Wawaloon", built in 1946. His first task was to get rid of all the herring scales. RUBY B.

Wawaloon (Wild black bird)

Rig: Gaff Schooner
LOA: 42'
LOD: 34'
LWL: 25'
Beam: 9'
Draft: 5'
Built: Big Cove - Big Tancook Island, Nova Scotia - Launched 1946
Designer / Builder: David Mason
Homeport: Mahone Bay Civic Marina, Mahone Bay

WAWALOON was built in 1946 by David Mason at Big Cove, Tancook Island, Nova Scotia. The original configuration was a Tancook fishing schooner, an open cockpit design (no decking) with a small fore cuddy. A 34’ gaff rig schooner with tan sails, she was equipped with a double 6 12 hp engine. Called RUBY B., she was owned by Vernon Boutilier of Spry Bay, Eastern Shore, N.S and fished for 6 years, mainly for herring. She was purchased in 1953 by Mort Pelham (Later, Secretary of the Nova Scotia Schooner Association). was converted to a pleasure sailing schooner complete with deck and cabin, and renamed WAWALOON. She set out on her new task, providing Mort with 15 years of enjoyable sailing around the South Shore of Nova Scotia. When the Nova Scotia Schooner Association (NSSA) was formed in 1961, WAWALOON was there, winning the Association’s first race on corrected time. WAWALOON was purchased by Bill Forbrigger of Port Hawkesbury, N.S. in 1968. She found her way back to Halifax-Dartmouth in 1981, and was purchased by Francis Forbrigger. In 1985, Gerry Hayman purchased her. Sailing from Armdale Yacht Club, Gerry made every effort to keep her true to her 1953 conversion. Gerry was very active in the NSSA, WAWALOON made over ten trips to various South Shore ports for Association events, and rewarded Gerry with the constant pleasure of sailing and maintaining a traditional Nova Scotian schooner. Current owner, Harley Schofield, purchased her from Gerry Haymen in 2013. Harley has carried on Gerry’s effort to keep her true to her 1953 conversion, and hopes to have the WAWALOON racing in the various ports of the South Shore again by summer 2015. WAWALOON’S history is still being made.

08/10/2026

A little clip from Friday’s race.

Wind in the sails, rails in the water, and the kind of conditions that remind you why we love this sport.

What a week of racing! Celebrating the 65th Anniversary of the Nova Scotia Schooner Association made this year’s race we...
08/09/2026

What a week of racing!

Celebrating the 65th Anniversary of the Nova Scotia Schooner Association made this year’s race week especially meaningful. From challenging winds and beautiful days on the water to one day of absolutely zero wind — it was a week that tested patience, teamwork, and determination.

We’re incredibly proud to finish 3rd Overall and bring home the Founder’s Cup 🏆

A week filled with tradition, competition, camaraderie, and the kind of memories that make schooner racing so special.

Here’s to 65 years of the Nova Scotia Schooner Association, and to everyone who continues to keep this incredible maritime tradition alive.

It’s a beauty of a morning here in Hubbards as we get underway for the Lady Skipper’s Race. Today we pause to pay tribut...
08/06/2026

It’s a beauty of a morning here in Hubbards as we get underway for the Lady Skipper’s Race.

Today we pause to pay tribute to one of the founding members of the Nova Scotia Schooner Association — Willa Creighton.

Willa’s vision, dedication, and passion for preserving Nova Scotia’s rich sailing heritage helped lay the foundation for an organization that continues to celebrate our historic schooners, maritime traditions, and the communities that bring them to life.

Because of pioneers like Willa, generations have had the opportunity to experience the beauty, history, and camaraderie of the schooner races. Her legacy lives on in every sail raised, every race contested, and every person who gathers along our shores to celebrate this enduring tradition.

Thank you, Willa, for your lasting contribution to Nova Scotia’s maritime heritage. Your impact will continue to inspire sailors, volunteers, and spectators for years to come.

Fair winds and following seas.

08/05/2026
Schooner Race Day 2 brought the wind—and then some. 🌬️⛵Blustery conditions, whitecaps as far as the eye could see, and r...
08/05/2026

Schooner Race Day 2 brought the wind—and then some. 🌬️⛵

Blustery conditions, whitecaps as far as the eye could see, and rails buried in the water made for an unforgettable day on the ocean. The crews were challenged every mile, working together through every gust and every tack, proving just how much skill, grit, and teamwork these races demand.

It wasn’t the easiest day on the water, but it was definitely one of the most exciting to watch. There’s something incredible about seeing these historic schooners pushed by the wind, sailing exactly as they were built to do.

Here’s to another memorable day of the races—and to everyone who embraced the wind and enjoyed the ride. 🌊💙

08/03/2026
Today’s course for Race number 1 of Schooner Race Week is as follows:Between 12 and 1pm, Fox Point wharf best vantage po...
08/03/2026

Today’s course for Race number 1 of Schooner Race Week is as follows:

Between 12 and 1pm, Fox Point wharf best vantage point. We’ll expect to be rounding Strawberry Island off Boutlier’s Point about 2pm. Enjoy the fog!

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Marina, AB

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